2021 DUCATI MULTISTRADA V4

In many ways, the Ducati Multistrada set the bar for sport touring motorcycles when the first model rolled out of the factory in 2003. And while either you loved the ’80s sci-fi aesthetic or hated it, it was a game changer.

- Justin W. Coffey

In many ways, the Ducati Multistrada set the bar for sport touring motorcycles when the first model rolled out of the factory in 2003. And while either you loved the ’80s sci-fi aesthetic or hated it, it was a game changer. A hybrid of supermoto and sport touring, the Multistrada was ready to tackle “many roads.” But for those who purchased the first offering, riding the Multistrada off road, with its 17-inch cast wheels and superbike tires, didn’t bode well.

Fast forward to 2016, when the Multistrada became available as a 1200 Enduro model, provided increased suspension travel, additional fuel capacity, a double-sided swingarm, a 19-inch front wheel and spokes. But it felt like an afterthought. Now, with their new V4 power plant on the horizon, Ducati has changed the game again.

Borrego Springs, CA, was the backdrop for Ducati’s introduction of the 2021 Multistrada V4. The twisty pavement and wandering dirt roads were the perfect location to test the new platform.

SPECS

At the heart of the new Multistrada beats an 1158cc, 168-horsepower V4 Granturismo engine, utilizing a counterrotating crankshaft that helps with wheelie control and rear wheel raise under braking via mechanical aid versus an electronic one. The V4 power plant is 2.6 lb. lighter than the outgoing 1260 motor and is physically smaller (85mm shorter and 95mm shallower), allowing for additional ground clearance. Ducati opted for an aluminum monocoque unit in place of a trellis frame, which some may consider a major shift from tradition.

While Ducati did increase horsepower and torque, reduce physical engine size, and opt for a more adventure-friendly wheel and tire combo, they didn’t manage to shed weight. The Multistrada 1260 S weighed in at 518 lb. wet and the V4 model should be roughly 535 lb. with fluids and a full tank. But scale weight and how a bike feels beneath you are two different things.